The flu, strep throat and stomach viruses lurk around every corner. Most of us will drive to the pharmacy in search of remedies or pay a visit to the doctor's office if symptoms get bad enough.

But maybe you should consider a warm cup of bone broth or tea with honey to cure what ails ya.

"It's empowering to be able to go into the kitchen and put something together to make yourself feel better," says Carrie Havranek, a Williams Township food writer, culinary instructor and blogger at www.TheDharmaKitchen.com.

Havranek led a packed class at the Easton Public Market recently, talking about home-remedy ingredients you should keep on hand.

Drinking bone broth is a hot trend.

Bone broth is made with bones that are first roasted and then simmered in a liquid for a long time (up to 24 hours). The result is a dense liquid thanks to the gelatin from the collagen-rich joints and a bit of minerals from the bones.

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First responders from across the Lehigh Valley met with Morning Call staffers as part of our special project, "Opioids: A Community Crisis."

First responders from across the Lehigh Valley met with Morning Call staffers as part of our special project, "Opioids: A Community Crisis."

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First responders from across the Lehigh Valley met with Morning Call staffers as part of our special project, "Opioids: A Community Crisis."

First responders from across the Lehigh Valley met with Morning Call staffers as part of our special project, "Opioids: A Community Crisis."

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Instructor Kevin Siddons teaches students how to relax during a "Meditation, Deep Relaxation and Qigong" class at Northampton Community College

Instructor Kevin Siddons teaches students how to relax during a "Meditation, Deep Relaxation and Qigong" class at Northampton Community College

Critics say the evidence falls short of demonstrating the DASH diet's significant impact on major nutrition-related diseases.

Critics say the evidence falls short of demonstrating the DASH diet's significant impact on major nutrition-related diseases.

It's broth, kicked way up.

Bone broth's collagen and amino acids such as glycine, proline and glutamine are thought to boost healing for a host of conditions — from the common cold to joints and digestive difficulties.

"I've been known to drink a quart of it over the course of 24 hours when I feel like I am coming down with something," Havranek says.

Added benefit: It tastes really good.

Turmeric

If you follow natural health news, chances are you've heard about the benefits of turmeric.

Turmeric, which looks like a bright yellow-orange ginger root, is a common spice in curry. Turmeric's color comes from the chemical curcumin, which is thought to decrease inflammation and is used for conditions including cancer, arthritis, heartburn, joint pain, stomach pain, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Some people also use turmeric topically to treat inflammatory skin conditions such as stings and acne.

You can grate it much as you would ginger and add it to soup, stir fries and smoothies. The flavor is assertive and peppery. (Word of warning: Turmeric's beautiful color also stains quickly and permanently so be careful when you're grating it.) Havranek says it's not necessary to peel turmeric if you buy organic.

Honey

Honey isn't an exotic ingredient but its benefits are diverse, Havranek says.

Before we get into those benefits, it's important to clarify that you should use raw honey, which hasn't been heated and processed. Raw honey is full of enzymes, antioxidants, antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Different honeys will have different properties and subtle differences in tastes. Buckwheat honey, which is a darker, stronger honey, is thought to be especially nutrient dense.

You can use honey on a burn, a blemish, or, more simply, in your tea. It's a great (and healthier) substitute for sugar in many dishes and drinks.

Ginger

Ginger is another ingredient most people know well.

It is thought to boost immunity and is often added to tea. It also benefits digestion.

The nice thing is that fresh grated ginger suits both savory and sweet dishes, bringing a warming zip to whatever you make.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apples and contains calcium, enzymes, potassium and magnesium — all of which are thought to be powerful healing compounds. It also contains "acetic acid," which is thought to kill bad bacteria and help good bacteria grow.

It's important to note that we aren't talking about your average run-of-the-mill apple cider vinegar. You want to get the type with "the mother" — which is the culture of beneficial bacteria that turns apple cider into vinegar. Look for "unrefined" and "unfiltered" apple cider vinegar: This type will have a murky, chunky appearance.

"All of the good stuff is in the floaty bits," Havranek says. "If there are no bits, don't bother getting it."

Most of us have used it in a salad dressing or homemade barbecue sauce but you can add a teaspoon here or there in drinks and smoothies without it affecting the taste too much.

You can also drink it diluted with a bit of warm water and lemon and ginger.

Bottom line

These five remedies are natural but that doesn't give you a license to go overboard.

Take it easy introducing them to your diet. Your body may need time to adjust.